Enhancing Learning Experience: Engineering Students’ Views on Google Classroom and Academic Achievement

This paper presents the findings of two studies that replicate previous work by Fred Davis on the subject of perceived usefulness, ease of use, and usage of information technology. The two studies focus on evaluating the psychometric properties of the ease of use and usefulness scales, while examining the relationship between ease of use, usefulness, and system usage. Study 1 provides a strong assessment of the convergent validity of the two scales by examining heterogeneous user groups dealing with heterogeneous implementations of messaging technology. In addition, because one might expect users to share similar perspectives about voice and electronic mail, the study also represents a strong test of discriminant validity. In this study a total of 118 respondents from 10 different organizations were surveyed for their attitudes toward two messaging technologies: voice and electronic mail. Study 2 complements the approach taken in Study 1 by focusing on the ability to demonstrate discriminant validity. Three popular software applications (WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, and Harvard Graphics) were examined based on the expectation that they would all be rated highly on both scales. In this study a total of 73 users rated the three packages in terms of ease of use and usefulness. The results of the studies demonstrate reliable and valid scales for measurement of perceived ease of use and usefulness. In addition, the paper tests the relationships between ease of use, usefulness, and usage using structural equation modelling. The results of this model are consistent with previous research for Study 1, suggesting that usefulness is an important determinant of system use. For Study 2 the results are somewhat mixed, but indicate the importance of both ease of use and usefulness. Differences in conditions of usage are explored to explain these findings.

Smart classroom setting is an effective technology-enhanced pedagogy when an instructor capitalises on the key drivers underlying its success. The objectives of the study are twofold. First, to investigate the factors that impact learners’ academic performance in the smart classroom setting. Second, to determine whether learners’ performance varies based on their gender and prior experience in the smart classroom. Three schools were selected and sampled from a pool of public advanced level (A’ Level) STEM secondary schools with smart classrooms in Rwanda because they were among the first to set up smart classrooms. Data were randomly obtained from 389 learners, majoring in six different combinations. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to assess the validity and reliability of the measurement scale. A valid and thought-provoking learners’ academic performance model, to enhance their learning outcomes, is presented. The model was validated using Structural equation modelling (SEM). The results indicated that technology self-efficacy, perceived ease of use, and learning satisfaction were all predictors of learners’ performance. Learners’ perceived ease of use and satisfaction were direct predictors of their performance. Besides, learners’ perceived ease of use and usefulness were directly affected by technology self-efficacy. On the other hand, technology self-efficacy indirectly impacts learners’ performance. The invariance analysis across gender groups revealed that male learners perceive smart classroom technology to be easier to use than females. Meanwhile, no evidence of metric invariance estimation of experience was found. We argue that effective pedagogical approaches can mitigate gender disparities in perceived usability of smart classroom technologies.

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a collection of physical, psychological and behavioral changes that can be experienced by women of reproductive age. School adolescents who experience PMS symptoms can have an impact on school activities and daily life. One of the efforts to overcome it is through health education about PMS. Health education innovation in adolescents can be done with the use of social media. Social media that can be used as a means of sharing information is Facebook. Objective: This study aims to know the relationship between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of Facebook for health education about PMS. Method: Analytic study research design with a cross section approach. The research variable was the perception of ease of use and usefulness of Facebook as a medium of health education about PMS. The population was 320 school teenagers and the samples were taken by purposive sampling as many as 77 school teenagers who experienced PMS symptoms and had received PMS health education on Facebook. The research data were taken using a questionnaire of perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) and analyzed using a descriptive and contingency coefficient. Results: Facebook was considered easy (63.6%) to be used for health education about PMS and Facebook was considered useful (57.1%) as a medium for health education about PMS. There was a significant relationship between perceived ease of use and usefulness of Facebook as a medium for health education about PMS (pvalue=0,017 ) with a correlation coefficient value of 0.263 indicating that the correlation is weak. Conclusion: Perceived ease of use was related to the perceived usefulness of Facebook. Facebook was easy to use and useful for health education about PMS. Facebook was effective and useful for learning about PMS. Social media can be a medium for health education and help improve the health of school adolescents who experience PMS.

Numerous websites provide information, sell products, and offer services. However, not many websites have focused on usability issues, such as ease of use, usefulness, and customer satisfaction. Therefore, in this paper, the authors first consider what factors affect ease of use and usefulness and then how ease of use and usefulness affect attitudes toward websites and customer satisfaction. This study classified four different user groups based on their degree of involvement to measure different levels of perceived ease of use and usefulness. Uses and gratification theory (Herzog 1944; McGuire 1974; Luo 2002) has been applied in this study to explain users’ attitudes toward movie-related web sites and consumer satisfaction. This study found that online users’ positive attitudes towards movie-related websites impact their satisfaction, while their positive attitudes do not significantly lead to the actual purchase of tickets online. The findings of the study contribute to the development of the uses and gratification theory by applying it to the online users’ attitudes toward movie-related sites. Further, this study provides implications and offers suggestions to e-businesses dealing with movie-related products and services.

Although a number of studies have proved the significance of quality characteristics in improving Digital-learning platforms success, there is few research about the impact of quality dimensions in increasing system adoption and usage. As a result, our research investigated the impact of quality indicators such as Quality of Service, quality of learning content and information, and quality of system on Digital-learning platforms usability. Quality of Service, quality of learning content and information, and quality of system characteristics were determined to be the essential components impacting Digital-learning platforms adoption among learners. The study revealed that system quality was the most critical factor influencing the perceived ease of use and usefulness of Digital-learning platforms. Information quality also had a significant impact on both perceived ease of use and usefulness. Additionally, service quality affected these usability factors as well. The findings indicate that system quality significantly influenced usability factors, specifically perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness (H1: β = 0.321; H2: β = 0.366). Additionally, service quality is found to have a significant effect on both usability factors, ease of use and usefulness (H5: β = 0.371; H6: β = 0.366). Furthermore, the results are essential in determining the importance of those quality components that can be utilized by developers in institutions of higher education to enhance their Digital-learning platforms experiences.

:Evidence suggests that information centers (ICs) have significantly more interest in evaluating software packages and assisting in the selection of software packages than end users have. However, the selection of software packages by the information center product specialists (ICPSs) can compromise their usage. Ease of use and usefulness are believed to be fundamental predictors of usage. The question of whether ICPSs are able to correctly evaluate ease of use and usefulness of software packages for end users is posed. An insight into this issue could enhance end-user computing (EUC) policy and lead to a more effective partnership between end users and information systems (IS) professionals. A search for this insight provided the motivation for our empirical investigation of the perception of ICPSs and end users in assessing the ease of use and usefulness of thirty different software packages. Our investigation was performed in an organization with an IC that had evolved to the formalization stage. The findings show that the perceptions of the end users and ICPSs were similar in terms of assessing the ease of use of software packages. However, end users found the software packages less useful than did IC product specialists. Therefore, in sophisticated environments, end users should be empowered to develop their own user groups and suggest to IC personnel which useful software packages to acquire. Otherwise, selection of software packages without end-user participation could have an adverse effect on their usage.

Learning motivation is essential to online learning success. This study recognizes two aspects of learners’ motivation for E-learning and proposed technology acceptance model as cognitive process and stimulus-organism-response as affective process to explain the undergraduates’ continuous intention to use E-learning system based on Stimulus-Organism-Response model. It employes a quantitative research approach to analyze the data from 662 undergraduates using structural equation modeling. Specifically, it examines how flow experience (a generalized sense of enjoyment) as the external variable affects the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness and the continuous use of the E-learning system. The results affirm that flow experience is a significant cognitive state in online virtual community behavior and has a significant influence on continuous intention to use. Perceived ease of use of the E-learning system is found more influential than perceived usefulness. Furthermore, the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness were significant mediators between Flow and continuous intention. The findings of this study will help system designers, policymakers, educationists and other stakeholders take necessary steps in improving e-learners’ flow experience and their perceived ease of use and usefulness to increase retention rate and performance. More importantly, it will promote the formation of sustainable learning and ultimately achieve a lifelong learning society for all.

Facebook and WhatsApp, recognised as popular social media and messaging platforms, are increasingly being used as online sales platforms through the emergence of marketplaces, online stores and groups. Businesses and individual sellers create groups on these platforms to attract buyers who share similar interests, but the buyers and sellers often do not know one another, which may cause trust issues. Therefore, sellers should be aware of the factors that influence a buyer’s trust so that strategies can be developed to mitigate trust issues that may hinder sales transactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of information quality, perceived ease of use and usefulness on consumers’ trust in Facebook and WhatsApp groups as online sales platforms. Following a descriptive research design, the data was gathered from 412 participants by means of an electronic self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to the South African database of an international research company. The statistical methods that were used to analyse the data included reliability measures, HTMT analysis and structural equation modelling. The findings of the study revealed that the information quality and perceived ease of use of WhatsApp and Facebook groups significantly influence the perceived usefulness of these groups, which, in turn, influences consumers’ trust in WhatsApp and Facebook groups as online sales platforms. In conclusion, by understanding the relationship between these factors, social media platforms could alter their group features, while businesses and individual sellers can improve their marketing strategies to instil trust among group members and ultimately increase sales.

BackgroundBarriers to cervical cancer screening in young adults include a lack of knowledge and negative perceptions of testing. Evidence shows that mobile technology reduces these barriers; thus, we developed a web app, Game-based Learning Avatar-navigated mobile (GLAm), to educate and motivate cervical cancer screening using the Fogg Behavioral Model as a theoretic guide. Users create avatars to navigate the app, answer short quizzes with education about cervical cancer and screening, watch videos of the screening process, and earn digital trophies.ObjectiveWe tested ease of use, usefulness, and satisfaction with the GLAm app among young adults.MethodsThis mixed methods study comprised a qualitative think-aloud play interview session and a quantitative survey study. Participants were cervical cancer screening–eligible US residents aged 21 to 29 years recruited through social media. Qualitative study participants explored the app in a think-aloud play session conducted through videoconference. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis to identify themes of ease of use, usefulness, and content satisfaction. Qualitative study participants and additional participants then used the app independently for 1 week and completed a web-based survey (the quantitative study). Ease of use, usefulness, and satisfaction were assessed using the validated Technology Acceptance Model and Computer System Usability Questionnaire adapted to use of an app. Mean (SD) scores (range 1-7) are presented.ResultsA total of 23 individuals participated in one or both study components. The mean age was 25.6 years. A majority were cisgender women (21/23, 91%) and White (18/23, 78%), and 83% (19/23) had at least some secondary education. Nine participants completed the think-aloud play session. Direct content analysis showed desire for content that is concise, eases anxiety around screenings, and uses game features (avatars and rewards). Twenty-three individuals completed the quantitative survey study. Mean scores showed the app was perceived to be easy to use (mean score 6.17, SD 0.27) and moderately useful to increase cervical cancer screening knowledge and uptake (mean score 4.94, SD 0.27). Participants were highly satisfied with the app (mean score 6.21, SD 1.20).ConclusionsSurvey results showed participants were satisfied with the app format and found it easy to use. The app was perceived to be moderately useful to inform and motivate cervical cancer screening; notably, the screening reminder function was not tested in this study. Qualitative study results demonstrated the app’s ability to ease anxiety about screening through demonstration of the screening process, and brevity of app components was favored. Interpretation of results is limited by the predominantly cisgender, White, and educated study population; additional testing in populations which historically have lower cervical cancer screening uptake is needed. A modified version of the app is undergoing efficacy testing in a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose – Individual differences are critical in determining how individuals think and behave in different ways. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of individual differences on users’ perceptions of print and electronic resources in terms of ease of use, usefulness and usage in the hopes that a better understanding of these effects can help Chinese university libraries to meet the diversified information needs of their users more specifically and appropriately so that the second-level capability divide and third-level outcome divide of library information resources can be much reduced. Design/methodology/approach – Data collected from 273 library users were used for data analysis. The independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two-way ANOVA were employed. Meanwhile, the quantitative analysis is supplemented by the qualitative interviews which present richer data about the use of specific types of print and electronic resources. Findings – The effect of basic characteristics (gender, age, field) and experience (experience with library print resources, experience with library electronic resources, which library resources were used first) on users’ perceptions of print and electronic resources in terms of ease of use, usefulness and usage was explored and discussed. Meanwhile, the two-way interaction effect was examined and 13 significant interaction effects were presented. Originality/value – Building on the digital divide, this study examines ease of use, usefulness and usage in terms of individual differences which cover not only basic characteristics but also experience and two-way interaction, which the authors think provides a new view for library information resources research and practice alike in China.

This study classified the properties of smart learning into entertainment/convenience, diversity/accessibility, personal fit and service connectivity. By using the user’s perceived ease of use and usefulness as mediators, this study analyzed the impact of smart phone-based learning properties on customer satisfaction and recommendation intention in relation to English education. The results showed that smart phone-based properties positively affected the ease of use and usefulness, and that the properties exerted a positive influence on ease of use and usefulness, which affected positively user satisfaction and intention of recommendation.

This study aims to identify factors associated with the adoption and compliance of electronic patient-reported outcome measure (ePROM) use among cancer patients in a real-world setting. This prospective cohort study was conducted at the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, Korea, from September 2018 to January 2019. Cancer patients aged 18years or older who owned smartphones and who were receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy were eligible for this study. Patients were asked to use the app to report their symptoms every 7days for a total of 21days (3weeks). Logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with the adoption and compliance. Among 580 patients, 417 (71.9%) adopted the ePROM app and 159 (27.4%) out of 417 had good compliance. Patients who had greater expectations regarding the ease of use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.67, 95% CI: 1.28-5.57) and usefulness (aOR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.05-2.72) of the ePROM app were more likely to adopt the app than those who did not. Patients who had greater satisfaction with usefulness (aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.10-3.25) were more likely to comply with using the app, but satisfaction with ease of use was not related to the compliance. While expectation regarding the ease of use and usefulness of the ePROM app was associated with the adoption of the app, satisfaction with ease of use was not related to compliance with the ePROM app. Satisfaction with usefulness was associated with the compliance of ePROM app use.

The paper examines challenges in the teaching of Communication Skills (CS) course in higher education institutions in Tanzania. Teaching of the course in Tanzania started in 1978 to date and aimed at helping students learn effectively using English language as medium of instruction. However, many students fail to communicate effectively using the language and exhibit deficiencies even after doing the course. The study was informed by relativist-interpretivist research paradigm which is consistent with the qualitative approach and case study method. It involved 55 participants including: students, lecturers, Heads of Departments and Academic Deans from one public and one private university in Tanzania as well as officials from the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. The respondents were sampled purposively. The interviews, observations, focus group discussions and document reviews were used to generate data that were analysed mathematically. The key challenges revealed include: poor background of the students and lecturers, interference of other languages and lack of appropriate resources. In view of the findings, it is recommended that teaching of the CS course should start from the lower levels of education, among others. Keywords: Communication, Communication Skills and Communication Skills Course

Purpose Global digital payment transactions increase continuously. Due to the inconsistencies that occurred across the research findings, past researchers have called for further investigation to verify and empirically test the mobile payment acceptance model. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrative model that is derived from the multiple technology acceptance models (TAM)’s a theoretical framework and past literature to understand how consumers decided to adopt mobile payment. By simultaneously testing mechanisms, namely, ease of use, usefulness and risk, the current study will be able to advance scholarly knowledge of the underlying consumer’s attitude and behavior that link social influence to intention to use. Design/methodology/approach A total of 370 valid responses were collected using self-administered questionnaires distributed via online platforms, a representative for Thai consumers. An ordinary least square regression and bootstrap analyzes were conducted through PROCESS Macro to analyze the moderated serial-multiple mediation model in the consecutive inducing of social influence, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and perceived risk toward the consumer’s intention to use mobile payment. Findings Within the context of consumers evaluating a mobile payment, statistics significant were found for the hypothesized direct and indirect effects of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness on an intention to use. The results showed that Thai consumers’ intention to use mobile payment was significantly affected by their attitudes in terms of usefulness and the less complication in using the applications. It is confirmed that social influence indirectly affects intention to use via the increase of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. The study also found a significant interaction between perceived risk and perceived usefulness toward intention to use. Practical implications It is recommended to service providers to continue improving the user-friendliness, navigation, integrity and furnish the system with more value-added activities within the mobile payment application. It is also essential for the company to deliver tutorials and clear and easy-to-follow instructions to customers. At the same time, the marketer should develop marketing strategies to promote the usefulness and simplicity of using the applications to the consumers. When consumers experienced the easiness and usefulness of the applications, these could overcome the resistance feeling to use due to the concern on any potential risk. Originality/value The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on consumer usage behavior and TAM by integrating all important variables and developed a parsimony framework to explain consumers’ usage adoption on mobile payment. Moreover, the current study was the very first that proposed and tested a serial of multiple mediations of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, moderated by perceived risk, in the relationship between social influence and consumers’ intention to use mobile payment and discovered a moderating role of perceived risk toward the relationship between perceived usefulness and mobile payment usage intention.

Exergaming has brought new fitness experience for people with restricted behavior in the post-epidemic era, but the current research on exergaming and home fitness behavior of general healthy users is basically in a gap. In this context, this study obtained a total of 603 valid game evaluations through interviews on user experience and online open questionnaires, 330 of which were collected as valid questionnaires through collating and summarizing them, fitness game evaluation scales were developed through factor analysis, and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the intrinsic linkage among factors influencing users’ use of fitness games. The results show that the influencing factors are: technical quality, functional quality, social interaction, playfulness, ease of use and usefulness, among which usefulness has the highest explained variance, and technical quality positively affects functional quality, ease of use, social interaction and playfulness meanwhile indirectly affecting usefulness, while social interaction also positively affects playfulness, functional quality and ease of use meanwhile indirectly affecting usefulness. This leads to the conclusion that technical quality is the basis for the success of each factor, social interaction facilitates all aspects of the games, and usefulness is the key to exergaming. This study is a groundbreaking exploration of the factors that influence users' use of fitness games, which provides some references for subsequent research, development and operation related to fitness games.